Microsoft announced today the release of the Windows 8 Release Preview, the prerelease of the highly anticipated Windows 8 operating system. Since the February release of Windows 8 Consumer Preview, which was downloaded more than 1 million times in the first 24 hours, Windows 8 has become the most tested Microsoft operating system of all time, and with the Release Preview, it enters its final phase of development before it releases to manufacturing.

Windows 8 Release Preview delivers the already popular apps like Bing Travel, News and Sports apps, as well as Gaming and Music Xbox apps that integrate with your Zune pass. Compared to the Consumer Preview, this latest version brings notable improvements to the Mail, Photos and People apps that will replace the Windows Live suite. In addition, Microsoft has worked closely with its partners to deliver apps from around the world through the Windows Store.

Beginning June 2, 2012, Microsoft will roll out the Windows Upgrade Offer in 131 markets, including the U.S. and Canada. Consumers who buy eligible Windows 7-based PCs through Jan. 31, 2013, can purchase an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for an estimated retail price of $14.99 (U.S.) during the time of the promotion. More information about the Windows Upgrade Offer will be available June 1.

Windows 8 Release Preview is prerelease software that may be substantially modified before it’s commercially released. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the information provided here. Some product features and functionality may require additional hardware or software.

In January 2010 Google decided to withdraw its service activity from China because of the censorship policy. This decision has left a big opportunity for Microsoft, who on Monday announced an English-language search deal with Baidu, China’s leading search provider. Being a company with an arguable morality, Microsoft will censor Bing’s search results in order to ensure that they are in compliance with local laws.

With a 75 percent share of China’s search queries, Baidu will offer about 10 million english-language queries per day for Bing. The contract between these search providers will lead to an improvement in the search quality results for China and offers a chance for Baidu service to expand worldwide.